Lions Lair Summer Camp’s Busy Summer
As summer rolls along, Lions Lair—the Notre Dame Academy summer camp for rising grades 1–8—has been full of creativity, adventure, and learning! Here’s a look at the fun-filled highlights, themed weeks, and memorable outings that have made this season one to remember:
🗓 What Is Lions Lair?
Lions Lair is Notre Dame Academy’s full-day summer camp, running Monday–Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Campers enjoy a safe, enriching environment packed with art, STEM, reading, music, theater, cooking, and both indoor and outdoor free play.
✨ Weekly Themes, Field Trips & Exciting Activities
Each week is centered around a theme—bringing fresh activities and inspiration:
- Welcome Week kicked things off (June 9–13) with friendship bracelets, scavenger hunts, s’mores, and a trip to the MN Landscape Arboretum.
- Down on the Farm week featured barnyard bingo, square dancing, and an outing to Gibbs Farm.
- Stars & Stripes Week celebrated our country with apple pie, red-white-and-blue crafts, and a carnival-themed day.
- Adventure Week took campers on a treasure hunt, saw Sidekick Theatre’s Return to Oz, and even created superhero capes.
- Blast from the Past included old-time photos, camp Olympics, and a trip to the Mill City Museum.
- Safari Week had animal-print crafts, a water day, and a field trip to the MN Zoo.
- Dinosaur Week brought dino drumming, an NDA music video, and a visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota.
- Big Top Week included tie-dye fun, a kazoo choir, and a trip to Circus Juventas.
- Space Week—completed the summer with film-canister rockets and a visit to Bell Museum’s planetarium.
Additionally, weekly Wacky Water Wednesdays, trips to Shady Oak Beach every Tuesday, bike time, Mystery Readers, gym games, library time, and “Mr. Stephens’ Challenge” kept each week structured and energetic. They even grew a garden this year!
🌞 In-Camp Highlights
On campus, Lions Lair has been buzzing this summer:
- Camps are divided into age groups (5–8 years old & 9–12 years old) and include choice blocks like cooking, sports fundamentals, art, theater, dance, and origami.
- Playgrounds, gym time, classrooms, and the library are all in use daily.
- Lions Lair staff are hands-on, guiding homework help, group games, and creative projects both before/after school and each summer day.
Whether your camper is digging dinosaurs, exploring the galaxy, or joining our kazoo choir, every week is a new adventure!
💬 Hear From Us
Camper Quotes:
“The gym is super fun. Every week we have a little show.”
“I like going to Shady Oak Beach and buying a treat from the concession stand!”
“It’s really fun to use the pearler beads and make whatever design you want.”
“I love making friendship bracelets and trading them with each other.”
“The dolls are fun to play with as a pretend family.”
“I really enjoy the field trips. We are always outside or the gym is open. We are never stuck sitting around.”
“I loved the week we tie-dyed. Check out my bandana!”
“We love this project from summer camp—it’s great math practice. Last week’s theme was Blast from the Past, so the kids made ‘old‑fashion’ clocks!” shared our front‑office team, echoing the energy and excitement that fills the halls.
🔜 What’s Next?
- Make sure your camper registers for Lions Lair during the school year. Registration is now open!
👇 Join the Fun!
To sign up or learn more, visit our Lions Lair page here or contact camp director Mr. Stephens at lionslair@nda-mn.org.
Let’s make this year one for the books—see you in the Lion’s Lair! 🦁